Whispers in the Verona Stars

Someone once said: The Voices of our Past, guide us towards our Future.

Well I suppose all you have to do, is just listen.

In creating our VERONA UNITED FB Page we have given you the opportunity to do just that. To Listen.

Since 2005 till now , the creative Verona voices have grown stronger, more passionate, more to do with ART , than ever.

I look back at some of the ‘pictured’ faces that performed along our challenging way and I think how ‘young’ they were to be performing , how inexperienced in their physical presence but how bright of eye , how keen of heart they truly were.

At the time you don’t see it , too busy , too concerned with other things …you don’t see the special moments , only the coveted prize.

I wish I’d looked harder at those faces. Wish I’d seen then what I know, so much better, now.

Theatre School changed lives and now the first of those that went ” the Road Less Travelled ” are coming back to let us see the difference a play makes…

I guess creatively it did matter ” in the bigger picture ” – thank you Jennifer, Holly and Marcus for that insight.

I read the few accounts that are posted to the Time Line with such artistic pride ; they sounded like the opening of really passionate minds , their will to share on a spiritual and emotional level, the need to say “in words” what Verona meant to them – in their afterplay.

For this – we should be grateful, proud beyond belief , that even after years apart , they still want this Challenge to stay the course of time , this Cup of Dramatic Excellence – to matter to all PACE Youth.

Daniel Cameron is one such PACE Fellow who understands Verona for what it was always ‘meant’ to be – please FIND HIS ROAR and LISTEN …

His is the testimony of someone who would be with you now , even while he travels his own path

I guess it’s because his and our paths are not so different after all ; he still sees a ‘Verona Challenge’ in everything he creatively puts his mind to.

What I mean by this, is that the skills you will learn in this dramatic and creative process , surpass mere House victory. A name on a Cup held high .

The fellowship of like minds you will experience is rarely found in your ‘current’ world , maybe elsewhere – only on a sporting field or in the pursuit of a greater humanitarian effort.

The benefits to your young and rapidly expanding minds through a more cultured education , through the power of The ARTS – is immense! Like the progress made by a new born baby in its first few months of life ; creative neutrons firing around your brains and body , spurring you on to achieve better personal gaols , to see , to sense , to talk , walk , run …be freer…CARPE DIEM …

Your imagination sparked , your minds re-energised, your passion for an artistic and academic cause – are the real human wings you have, to lift you higher yet, in school and on into the rest of your extra-ordinary lives …

Okay …

Yes , I know , it is about shouting at the opposition ,about a little bit of playful gossip and creative jealousy , about chucking yourself round the room in “high dramatic” pursuit , the bruises , the injuries , the creative battle scars , about the weeping and wailing “out loud” for all to hear , about manly taking your top off to expose who you are , about “fe-malely” hugging and sobbing it all out together , about the need to be “intense” in a dramatic sense, because to you now , that is what you believe Dramatic Art means ; about all the feeling possessive about your team colours, the red , the white , the bounce , step , kick and jump to arms, about not wanting to fail, lest you cease to matter creatively in others eyes.

I know …and it’s alright…

For a while it’s about pizza in circles , take-out in corridors , secret meetings at parties , about hands held in proud sign, about crazy camera poses and rehearsal wilder times , about the “Dionysian” release you so crave, above all else, and one which many of your peer group “outside our hallowed space” , can only find sometimes in alcohol bottles and the glamourised ecstasy of drugs.

I know…I get that…for you it matters , it is part of who you are.

Because as FUN says ” WE ARE YOUNG”

This is your VERONA rite of passage , a dramatic coming of age, one you witness when small PACE things and want to emulate when older.

A bit like finally making it “off the Spires stairs” and getting to hang out with the cool drama kids in a really great theatrical way.

It is the way you want to grow here , the perceived meaning of being part of Verona “for all”

…except a few.

Agh …therein always lie the FEW…because without “the few ” there is never, a road less travelled.

“We few , we happy few ..we VERONITE band of performers …”

I wonder how many of you have actually heard of VU or read the posts , or the comments made ? Maybe even listened to the “voices of the past” speaking to you , about their glorious and moving Verona Time ?

How many have taken the time even to post themselves , as asked, to name their part in it all?

You see , “Liking” something is not the same as loving it,

Liking is easy and is over in a second – Verona drama needs a deeper passion , a bigger commitment, to change you – For Good.

Pictures are wonderful to share, to tag, to pass on to others to admire , to look at , laugh with , smile inside about ….but they only tell “half” a story.

They are like a play that delivers the appearance of the lines, but never reaches the meaningful subtext beneath.

And those who know better , know that SUBTEXT – makes all the difference in the end , that to just do “half the drama” of anything, leaves you …unfinished. A bit cheated in an acting sense; all about the outside , nothing to support it within.

Subtext and ‘drama circles’ coming full cycle “is the harder stuff of those infinite roads less Verona travelled…

…the way of the “really cool” drama kids , a Rite of Passage only found when you go beyond “the snap chat ” to the resonance of truer WORDS; when you , give yourself in a more public way to your personal understanding, of it all.

I am glad we set up this page , I am happy that so many former Verona good-fellows are posting there , that even in their busy grown up and exciting new lives they find the time to give something back – TO YOU , their LEGACY , for TODAY.

Next rehearsal time you enter SPIRES remember this – VERONA is not the popular choice ,it was never ever meant to be, it is not the party it seems.

It is a place you will face your fears , your drama demons whatever they are , and come out stronger. It is a competitive peer lead arena, meant for a more positive good , and for truly effective change. Gladiator school for The Arts.

Why?

Because years from now you will look back and say

Do you remember ?

I remember

Do you remember the place ?

I remember the place

And that is the real triumph, don’t you agree ? That through everything that happens to you from now till then:

You will remember your place in Verona …

And maybe 10 years from now …you will click POST and tell it honestly,

” from your heart ”

I hope you read this, I don’t suspect you will comment here but I really hope you will, at some point from now till “Cup” day , take the time to be part of this special memory occasion , join these past voices and become forever “whispers in the Verona Stars ” – on this your golden anniversary Verona United page…

Hear from you sometime

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5 Responses to Whispers in the Verona Stars

Jodie PollockSeptember 1, 2014

Looking through the Verona United page really showed me what Verona means to people. I remember being new last year and Blair doing a workshop resulting in like every past Verona member who was participating in tears and I was sitting thinking to myself why are they crying? It's only another project... But it's not it's so much more, I found myself crying probably more than anyone last year because the house you are placed in does become your home and the people do become your family. It's amazing to go through the posts and hearing past Verona members stories and seeing that still now to this day Verona lives on in them and they are still apart of their house montague or capulet. I can't wait for the time to come when it's the 20t anniversary and I am sat writing my memories on the Facebook page, and getting ready to go see the show, to witness the new faces of pace and their take on the Verona challenge because Verona without a doubt has been the best memories of my pace journey. #mtwd

Carla McPhersonSeptember 3, 2014

The Verona United page has really opened my mind to what Verona is REALLY about. I am so privileged to be part of the 10th anniversary of this amazing challenge. Reading thought the comments of the page and thinking to myself what an amazing opportunity this is for anyone who is lucky enough to take part. The fire and passion and dedication that I am so much looking forward to having this year, and the creative inspiration that I get from all fellow Montagues- the next time i walk into a Verona rehearsal I will make sure I will treasure each moment and enjoy the journey this Verona will bring. #MTWD

Cat AtkinsonSeptember 4, 2014

This is my first time being a part of Verona, and I feel so honoured to be a part of something so passionate. I'd always known how important it was to so many people, but after reading through previous experiences on the page, i realise now how much it really does mean.
After 3 rehearsals I already feel like i am part of one huge family. The next month really is going to be amazing, and I cant wait to see what we can achieve together. This year will be a year people will remember, I can feel it. #MTWD

Mhairi GilbertSeptember 5, 2014

Montague presence noted , glad it means as much to you , as it does to me ...

Laura MaskreySeptember 10, 2014

Listening to Chloe talking about her feelings about Verona made me realise that it's not really about the winning. She talked about it so fondly and made me want to feel that way too. I didn't get before, but I think I do now. It's about teamwork, building and stretching each other. I can't wait for this because I can tell it's going to be fabulous and I'm going to be able share this experience with such amazing people. I don't just want to make this years Capulet proud, I want to make every team before us proud. Together we can do that.